A woman, who was a bonded labourer, and her two children - aged three and one - were rescued on Tuesday.
Based on information from an NGO, International Justice Mission (IJM), a team of revenue officials led by S. Balaji, tahsildar of Vellore, inspected a brick kiln in Vanniyakulam village in Virupatchipuram on Tuesday morning.
Kumar (25), a resident of Kalasamudram in Tiruvannamalai and his wife, Bhavani (23), were working the brick kiln owned by Somu at Vanniyakulam. However, Kumar had left for a relative’s place and did not return.
Bhavani had left for Tiruvannamalai to bring back her husband when the brick kiln owner allegedly took away her children – Vishnu and Sathish – for want of the advance money. She called Saravanan, State general secretary, Tamil Nadu Tribals’ Association on Monday night and informed him. He, in turn, informed IJM.
The revenue officials went to Vanniyakulam, and found the two children with another family in the neighbourhood. “It looks like the children were kept behind in return for the money,” Mr. Balaji said.
Officials said Kumar had taken money from the brick kiln owner and was absconding.
Following this, the officials rescued Bhavani and her two children. The officials handed over the release certificate to Bhavani.
